Roger’s Rides 2017

Sunday 6th August. A largely bright day saw 16 Cyclists gather at Tolworth Station, (including 4 people coming on the feeder ride from Berrylands, as there where no trains on the Chessington line), leave via West Ewell, Epsom, Langley Vale, Headley, Betchworth, Gadbrook, Parkgate, to Newdigate for lunch at the ‘Six Bells’- with a little bit of confusion over 1 order & 1 order having a late delivery-, then a minor Brake adjustment, helping to cause 3 ‘lost Sheep’ ;-(, all back together, via Henfold, North Holmwood, Dorking, Dorking Rec, Burford Bridge, Norbury Park Farm, to Bocketts Farm for Tea & BP, with the most valuable Cyclist, (the Baker of the BP), suffering a visit from the P fairy, swiftly repaired, then Leatherhead, (where a stray Branch almost stole a pair of Sunglasses), Ashtead Common, Epsom Common, Long Grove Park, Hogsmill path, Tolworth, Berrylands to Kingston. Total 44 Miles, 2 new Faces. Thanks to John E for back marking, many others for watching corners, & John D for the Bread Pudding.

Sunday 9th July. A mostly bright day saw 7 Cyclists gather at Clapham Junction, for the Overground train to Hoxton, where 15 more where waiting, so 22 Cyclists left via Hoxton, Victoria Park, Hertford Union Canal towpath, the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, Leyton, to Walthamstow to see some of the improvements that Waltham Forest Council have used there share of ‘Mini Holland’ money from the Mayor of London, then the Lea Navigation Towpath, to Tottenham Hale for lunch at ‘the Ferry Boat Inn, then Tottenham, Downhills Park, Wood Green, where Road Closed signs led to a small detour due to the ‘Red Bull Soapbox’ event taking place on our intended Route, through Alexandra Park 😦, Muswell Hill, Fortis Green, East Finchley, Hampstead Garden Suburb, Golders Green, Hampstead Cemetery, Fortune Green, Brondesbury, (where 1 of our party needed assistance down to the Platform for an early Train, so extra ‘Brownie points to Jon), to Queens Park for Tea & BP, then Kensal Town, with a Street party meaning a dismount to walk passed the stage, to North Kensington, where we paused briefly to reflect on the ‘Grenfell Tower’ tragedy of a few weeks ago, then Shepherd’s Bush, Brook Green, Baron’s Court, Hammersmith Bridge, Barnes, Roehampton Gate of Richmond Park, Kingston Gate to Kingston. Total 38 Miles, 2 new Faces. Thanks to John E for Back Marking & many others for watching corners, & special thanks to John D for going the extra Mile to deliver the Bread pudding, despite not joining us because of other commitments.

Kingston Council have announced 2 New Consultations, both open until 17th July, the first is an extension to the Portsmouth Rd segregated track, along Kingston High St., with some shared Space. The Second is the long awaited New Malden to Raynes Park link. Both Schemes will be beneficial and should be supported.

Wednesday 21st June, on the Hottest June day for 40+ Years, and having missed ‘Bike Week’ due to an admin. mix up, (although you could argue it was the BW organisers who went early, missing Mid Summers day), 6 Cyclists left via Kingston Bridge, Bushy Park, Fulwell, River Crane path, Twickenham, Cole park, St. Margerets, Richmond Bridge to Richmond Hill for well earned refreshments at ‘the Roebuck’, also meeting many other familiar Faces, admiring a fantastic Sunset, then Richmond Park, with just a few Deer for company, ( & a few other Cyclists) to Kingston Gate, where everyone went there seperate ways. 12 Miles, 1 new Face, thanks to Ralph for Back marking.

Part 2 Still quite Steamy we said farewell to 5, hello to 4, so 13 Cyclists, were ready for the off, (but 1st a faulty valve meant a Tube change), leave via Skerne Rd, Latchmere, Ham, Ham Gate of Richmond Park, to Petersham Gate, (where shortly after leaving the Park, 1 of our party helped a ‘Damsel in distress’, not of our party, replace a tube), Richmond, Richmond Bridge, Ducks Walk, where yet another visit from the P Fairy, (again swiftly fixed), Isleworth, Whitton, to Knellor Gardens for Tea & BP, then Twickenham, Teddington, Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge to Kingston. Total 12 Miles, 1 Puncture. Thanks to Mick for Back marking (& Puncture repairs), many others for Marking corners, thanks to John for a superb Bread Pudding.

Sunday 21st May. A bright Sunny day, with the ‘usual Leader’ having a day off, welcome a new Leader, Jon, with 21 Cyclists, leave via Eden St., Surbiton, Long Ditton, Giggshill Green, Weston Green, Esher, Walton on Thames, Thames Towpath to Weybridge, (where the BP man almost made a break for freedom), Brooklands community Park, Byfleet, Wey Navigation Canal Towpath to Pyrford Lock for lunch at ‘the Anchor’, then Wisley, Ockham, Martyr’s Green, Hatchford, Downside, Stoke D’Abernon, Cobham, Fairmile, Stokesheath, Claygate to Long Ditton for Tea & BP at ‘Squires Garden Centre’, then Seething Wells, Portsmouth Rd track to Kingston. Total 33 Miles, 1 new face. Thanks to Steve J for back marking, many others for marking corners & JD for the Bread Pudding, and special thanks to Jon for leading a novel route to a familiar destination.

Wednesday 17th May. A very wet Evening saw a surprising 7 Cyclists willing to brave the elements leave via Skerne Rd, Thames Path to Ham, Teddington Footbridge, Teddington, to Hampton for refreshments at ‘the Roebuck’, thankfully by the resumption the Rain had ceased, so a quick dash across Bushy Park to Hampton Wick & Kingston Bridge. Total 8 Miles. Thanks to John E for back marking.